Could Anthony Piagentini be removed from Metro Council? Here's what's next in ethics case
This story was updated to clarify that former Councilman Dan Johnson was removed by the council without going through formal Ethics Commission proceedings
Louisville Metro Council member Anthony Piagentini could face removal from office after the city Ethics Commission found him in violation of six ethics charges Thursday.
The findings were the culmination of a monthslong investigation into whether Piagentini, the Republican caucus chair, used his city position to secure a $40 million grant for the Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, which then hired him on a $240,000 yearlong contract.
Piagentini said he did not violate the ethics code and that he will use "every legal means at my disposal to fight this."
"I'm gonna fight until I die to make sure everybody knows the truth and what just happened here," he said following the commission's verdict.
But Dee Pregliasco, the chair of the commission, said the process was "very open."
"I think everybody should know this was a difficult process, a long process," she said. "We spent many, many hours both on the hearing and deliberating. This is not something we should be happy for the city, because I think this reflects a lot about government and about our community. So it was really a hard, hard process. And again, it's not something we're cheering about."
Here's what to know about the case now:
What were the Ethics Commission findings against Piagentini?
The ethics complaint was filed by Kevin Fields, the president and CEO of Louisville Central Community Centers Inc., an organization that also was seeking the grant money.
After hearing testimony weeks earlier, the commission reconvened Thursday and voted unanimously to find Piagentini in violation of six out of the seven charges brought against him.
They are:
Improperly soliciting or accepting a promise of employment or a thing of value
Use of his official position to secure “unwarranted privileges or advantages"
Impairment of objectivity or independent judgment as a Metro officer
Failing to disqualify himself from a matter pending before Metro Council where he had a private or financial interest
Use of his official position to obtain “unwarranted privileges or advantages” when he got a free ticket to a CEO Council event at Churchill Downs, which was valued between $199-$499.
He also was charged with failure to update his financial disclosure forms, but the commission found no violation there.
What happens with Piagentini's ethics case now?
The seven-member Ethics Commission has a limited number of penalties it can dole out – but other local officials can pursue more serious punishments.
The most extreme action the commission can take is to recommend removal from office, which it voted for unanimously on Thursday.
Piagentini also received the maximum penalty of $500 per violation, which amounts to $3,000.
However, Piagentini has said he plans to use "every legal means," to "fight this" which implies he will choose to appeal the commission's decision.
The decision to remove Councilman Piagentini from office is in the hands of the Metro Council. Mayor Craig Greenberg may also play a role in it. As mayor, he is allowed to bring put the matter before the council.
"The findings of the Ethics Commission are clear and unanimous," he said in a statement following the verdict. "My administration will swiftly respond to these serious violations to preserve the public’s trust in Metro Government."
If the mayor does not bring the issue forward, five members of the council could do it instead.
If either the mayor of the council does this, then the council would sit "as a court" and act as a jury over another public hearing. Two-thirds of the council would then have to vote for Piagentini to be removed.
There are 26 members of Metro Council including Piagentini. 18 people will be required to vote "yes" for removal, said Sarah Martin, the civil division director for Jefferson County attorney Mike O'Connell. Piagentini will not receive a vote.
There are 16 Democrats and one independent on the council, meaning at least one Republican would have to vote "yes" to remove him.
Officials removed from office are unable to fill the vacated position at least until the end of their vacated term. For Piagentini, that would be Jan. 4, 2027.
Piagentini could take the case to the Jefferson Circuit Court or the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
Have council members been found in violation of the ethics code previously?
Yes, but not all of them have been removed.
Three other Louisville Metro Council members have been found to be in violation of ethics code.
In 2011, Councilwoman Judy Green was removed from office after the commission found her in violation for nepotism and using a city-funded summer jobs program to benefit members of her family.
In 2013, Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin was accused of using her position to benefit family members – including hiring her grandson as a legislative aide while he had outstanding warrants and allocating $75,000 of discretionary funds to the Petersburg-Newburg Improvement Association, which she chaired. Metro Council voted not to remove her from office, and she continues to serve as the District 2 council representative.
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Most recently, Councilman Dan Johnson had sexual harassment charges brought against him in 2017. He was kicked off the council without going through formal Ethics Commission proceedings.
But until now, they were all Democrats.
Piagentini became the first Republican the commission found in violation of ethics.
Reach reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or at @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Piagentini ethics case: What happens now with Louisville Metro Council
